The darkroom has been the recipient of electronic gadgets for decades. Many of the private darkrooms were equipped with electronic aids long before the digital upgrades. The intent was convenience, as well as ease of operation for the casual darkroom printer.

The first items were timers. After that came analyzers – darkroom meters used for judging exposure and contrast selection.

Timers

Enlarger timers, usually, control time. First ones were mechanical, much like a clock. Digital timers provided more features, including “f-stop” timing. In wet room (side) are process timers; some are multi-step, or even multi-process capable.

 Exposure/ Contrast Meters

Technically they are on-easel meters. The readings are taken at the printing stage. The negative is projected onto the easel; the meter probe (sensor) is positioned on the easel to capture the light from a spot of the image.

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Published source, DIY build information: timers, light sources, meters